Dump trailer



Fh 17, 1Q4-8. J. POWERS 1 2,436,017

DUMP TRAILER Filed March 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l [Nye/viz JOHN J. POWERS ,4 7- raRA/E-r Feb. 17, 1948.

J. J. POWERS 2,436,017

DUMPVTRAILER Filed March 1, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN J. PbwERs FIG. 4.

Feb. 17, 1948. POWERS 2,436,017

DUMP TRAILER.

Filed March 1', 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 3 l/E/vrcv? JOHN J. POWERS all height 'tion comprisinga prime Patented Feb. 17 1948 UNI TED STATES OJLF FiI-(ZE JDUMP TRAIIJER John 'J.' =Powers, St. Louis, Mo. Application March 1, 194e,"siia1'ivo..c51;oss 9-Claiins. (01.298 17 This invention relates in general-to a vehicle of the tractontrailer type and, moreparticularly, to certain improvements in the construction and arrangement of the trailer as .a dump type'unit of the vehicle combination.

Accordingly, this invention 'hasfor its objects which is simple and economically constructed in a manner toimprove upon the assembly and compactness of component partsalong clean cut lines, which embodies improvementslin nent for the purpose ofgrfeatlyreducingthe over- .of 'thetrailer unit, which'includes a novel and advantageous arrangement of body elevating' means, and which includes further. an "im-' provedstructural assembly for mounting the supporting wheel assembly and ,movable'body.

'Wi ththe above andother objects in view th'e invention resides in the novel features of form, construction and arrangement of parts and componentpportions hereafterdescribed and pointed out.

- In the accompanying drawings (3 sheets)- Figure 1 isa general assembly view in sideelevation of a tractor-trailer vehicle forming the basis of the invention; e

,E'igure .2 is an enlarged and .fragmentaryelevational 'view of thetrailer'unit in which certain structural j features and operating parts are shown, the relation of the dump bodyandelevating means in load-discharging position being shown in'dotted lines;

.E'igure '3 is also an sectional elevational View of the chassisandis'uspension assembly for the wheels; Figure 4 is a greatlylenlarged, partial. sectional end view of the trailer unit along line-444 of Figure 3; y t

Figure 5 is a view similar to the one preceding but showing further details assembly .as the sameappearsalong line 15-;5;in Figure 3; I t, Figure Sis an enlarged, fragmentary sectional detail of still another portion of the trailer structure alongrline 6Z6. in Figure.2;.and

,Figure 7 ls.a fragmentary plan view-of the" tractor chassis illustrating additional details thereof.

(Referring now in more fdetail andvby reference characters .to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment o'fthe presentinvention', Af' designates generally a truck-trailer construcmover or tractor IO' and enlarged and fragmentary of construction and a trailer unit I l, ,jswivelly and "detachably connected .to the tractor 10 by means of a so-called fifth wheeleassembly ofany'w'ell known type, the latterfbeingjonly generally indicated at 1'2. 1

.In accordance with "the foregoing objects, the trailer unit "II is, bypreference, arranged with chassis frame members f3 formed of suitable structural shapes and afload=carrying body ;por.-

tion [4 .tdisposed tores'tupon themernbers 153 wheningnorm'a'l load=carrying,'p0siti on. Thebody l'4 includes ,llongitudinally disposed "frame (I01 structural members "l5,-arranged;generally arallelutoland 'as'traddle the chassis members [3, and

apllira'lityof crossftieemenibers "l6 uponfwhic h (iramesiZIfare'each securedto oneof members 'l"3',"'as' by welding, and

bocynoorm n 'i sfpiac e and to whi'ch side elementsjor1panels 18 can be secured for retainin'g the'mat''rial or other obiects'within the body [4. In the present examplathe, body i4 is mane ed to jc'oritainan'd transp'ort'material of the. character of focal, fg av l sand, and like w h anlzbefh'andledin mass quantity. To this end, the bodyfis provided with a material discharge opening ortdoor'assembly [9 "in the rearward end thereof for the'purposlejof;facilitatingits removal from th'eibody uponelevation of the latter as indicated'fbydotted lines insFigurez' However, it s'hou'ldfbe understood that the present inventionfis not; limited to the specific Jdisclosure herein made, but thatjsuch embodiment is given by way o fr'ge'xam'ple only for purposes eofjpresent description. l y 7 In ,the. .usual. arrangement and assembly .jbf

trailer chassis and Vdilmp'bodyfthe body members L5 generally are adapted to rest on top o'f'the chassis members l3, .sothat thefbo'dy pivot means can the ,i'nounted in .or on Itop of the members f3, This hasgthe effect Qremvatin theiboldy animdue amount, resulting .in greater body height and requirin'glincreased clearance space or head room for (passage .of the body "beneath overheadroad obstacles. 'In the present case, the trailer is constructed in a mannerwhichjpermits conside erable :reductionin overall hei ht as by arranging .th'ejbddy 1 members f5 astraddle the chassis frame 13. ViThis arrangementiss iurther'jtacilitated by the provision of "means permitting the locating of the body ,pivotasseznbly below the chassis. As indicated liniFigllre's 11 through 5, thetchassisfframe I 3 carries 'a-Lpair 'of'dependihg sidefframe's'IZZ whichjare'iwelded assemb1ies, 'each comprising an outerjplate 23 suitably stifiened andre'inforced by a. rear element ,Z4f,intermediate web's T25. and .a 'forwa'rdjeleme'nt "2,6. These Side .Ithe'lorig'i tu'dinal chassis extend forwardly from the rear ends thereof. As indicated in Figures 2, 3, and 4, each of the side plates 23 is cut away at intermediate its side plate 23 also depends but to a greater ex- 1 tent and is further provided with an upwardly inclined forward edge which terminates in aforwardly projecting tongue 29 welded to, the side for connection to conventional hydraulic brakes (not shown) which are associated in the usual manner with the trailer wheels. The connection of the fluid lines with the trailer is had vthrough flexible hose sections in order to pro-:

vide suflicient slack to care for relative movement of tractor and trailer units during maneuvering of the same. Each of these flexible hose sections connects with fixed conduits carried on the trailer chassis, one such conduit being shown at 56 in Figure 2. Each of said conduits extends rearwardly for connection with the lifting jacks through other flexible hose sections 51 and 58, i the hose section 51 being the fluid supply line and section 58 the return line. The fluid supply .is connectedto each cylinder 39 through a comface of the chassis frame member 13 (Figure 2) -=header 6i connects each cylinder with the re- In this manner a second partially enclosed h'ousing is provided by the plate 23, stifiening-mernbers and 26, and an inner reinforcing plate (Figure 5). In addition to the inner plates 30, each of these forward depending housings is further united to constitute a rigid structure by means of a cross element 3| which is welded to the side plates 23, as indicated in'Figure 3.

In the present example, the body pivot element 2! (Figure 4) is journalled in a sleeve 32 which extends from side to side of the trailer chassis through'the several housing plates 23 and 28 and to which the same is welded. The ele-' ment 2'! extends outwardlyof each endv of the sleeve 32 and receives a pivot journal or sleeve 33, which is welded to a depending bracket 34 carried on the lower flange face of the body frame members I5. A retaining collar 35 and locking element 36 positioned at each end of the pivot element 21' holds. the latter against lateral displacement. o v Referring now to Figures 2, 5, and 6, it can be seen that the trailer body" M is pivotally movable about element 21 under the action of fluid operated. means 38, which comprises a pair of cylinders 39 and piston rods 40. In the presently preferred arrangement, the [means 38, "or what will be referred to as lifting jacks, are each suitably secured attheir lowerends to a sleeve 41, which isjournalled upon a pivot-forming shaft 42 in'turn bearinged in end sleeves 43 carried by the side walls 23l'and 30 of the forward housing The'shaft 42 is securedagainst lateral movement by end collars 44 and locking elements 45. Each of the portion of side frame structures 22.

lifting jacks 38 is normally directed upwardly and forwardly from the common pivot sleeve 4|; so

that the piston rods thereof are operatively connected to the under side of the body l4 ahead of the cylinder pivot sleeve 4!. In Figure 6, it is seen that each piston rod is operatively pivotally connected through sleeved elements 46 to a common shaft," extending across the body l4. and mounted in an elongated bearing sleeve 48, which, in turn, is secured to the several longitudinal load-carrying I of the body l4 as well as .to the members 15 there of. Lateral displacement of shaft 41 is prevent-' ed by suitable end collars 50 and locking elements The system for supplying fluid under pressure to each of the lifting jacks includes (Figures 1, 2, and 5) a fiexible'fluid supply line 54 and a return line 54 each of which is connected with suitzible means (not shown), for the supply of fluid under pressure, the latter means being loca tl ed on the tractor unit Ill, as is the usual arrange-' ment; is third hydraulic hose line 55 i provided intermediate beams 49 turn line- 58.

mon headerpipe 6B, and a common fluid return U 7 Control means (not shown) for regulating the supply of fluid to the cylinders 39, when it is desired to elevate the body 14 or to permit return to normal position, is located in the tractor conveniently at hand for the operator. c I

' As indicated in Figure 7, the flexible hose sec-,

tions 54 and 54' connected at the tractor and in the zone of the fifth wheel assembly [2 are suit-. ably looped or slackened to give the required freedom of movement between tractor and trailer. As a precautionary measure and to prevent damage or entanglement of the hose sections 54 and 54with the vehicle, a guard rail 63 has been mounted on the tractor chassis 64 within the confines of the frame members thereof. 7

Returning now to Figures 3, 4, and '5, it can be seen that the trailer chassis is resiliently supported on a pair of spring assemblies 66 of the resilient multi-leaf type. Each such spring is secured to the wheel axle housing 61 by suitable elements 68.

suspension which nection. It is preferred to attach the forward end of each spring 66 to the adjacent side frame so as to retain the spring end within the housing formed thereby. The rearward end of the springs is free-floating or free to slide or move relative to a bearing pad 12 carried by the sleeve 32. In

this arrangement, the inner spring-leaf bears against the cylindrical face of the pad 12 whenthe trailer is riding on the rear wheel assembly 13.

The operation of the trailer body in pivoting about the shaft 21 to discharge its load through the door assembly i9 is efiected by application of fluid under pressure to the cylinders 39 through lines 54, 51 and header 60. It will be seen in Figure 2 that the raising the body lifting jacks 38 operate, when M, from a location rearwardly and angularly below their point of body attachment at shaft 41. thereby facilitating the load-- It is advantageous to arrange the jacks 38 in this manner as the same discharging operation.

are positioned to be free of any interference with the fifth wheel assembly 12, and further are protected against damage due to the location between the side frames 22 for carriage of the rear wheel assemblies 13. The area under the trailer chassis and rearwardly of the tractor is left free and clear of normal operating mechanism, andas a result permits quick and easy access to the In addition to main springs 86, small buffer springs 69 are employed in cooperation with helper pads 10 fixed on the chassis 13, all as clearly shown in Figure 3. 7 It is of particu-, lar importance to note the arrangement of spring involves a floating-type con-' fiuiddines and for general service attention to:- allparts of thetrailerand tractor. While'stop means (not-shown) may be utilized to determine the-safe limit of swinging movementzof the jacks.

38, it is readily apparent. that thejackswill not swing into a position of instability-when-moving: the body to'such angle as will accomplish coinplete load discharge, since the maximumstroke of thepiston rods 40 is preferablyattained ator: close to thevertical position thereof and, hence-:- prior to displacement of the center-of gravity of M rearwardly and outside of. the body pivot: means 21 (see Figure 2.). It is also apparent that; the lifting jacks ,38 are attachedto structure well adapted toassume the reactionary thrust thereof whereas in conventional arrangements thezjacksl are positioned. to pushirearwardly on the body-.- and special structure must, therefore; be built: into the forward part of the chassis totake thrust.

body.

as the body is moved or elevated.

This invention also provides an improved trailer chassis construction in that the side frames 22 not only serve as means for wheel suspension and lifting jack supports, butalso permit the body pivot 21 to be brought down below the;- chassis so that considerable reduction in height can be realized. Moreoventhe combination of side frames 22 and inner stifl'ening plates 28mm? 30 provide semi-enclosed housings bearing points, as at 1| and 12. The overall chassis structure exhibits clean lines having features of compactness and durability. gAs indi-: cated in Figure 3, the rearmost. chassis cross brace 14 is formed with a beveled face I5 to provide adequate clearance for the body during pivoting movement and to close the end of the frame against the collection of dirt and foreign matter.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the dump trailer may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Havin thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i 1. In a vehicle of the character described, a dump trailer unit which comprises a main chassis for the-spring including longitudinally extending load-carrying members, depending frame structures secured to each of said load-carrying members, pivot-forming means carried by and extending between said depending frame structures, a load-carrying body mounted on said load-carrying members of the main chassis and including longitudinal members arranged in laterally spaced relation to straddle said load-carrying members, and means secured to each of said body members for connection with said pivot-forming means to permit pivotal .movement of said body into load dumping position.

2. In a vehicle of the character described, a dump trailer unit which comprises a chassis having longitudinally extending and laterally spaced structural beam members, depending frame structures secured to each of said beam members adjacent the rearward ends thereof, pivot means carried by and extending between said depending frame structures, a load-carrying body mounted on said chassis and including longitudinal members arranged in laterally spaced relation to straddle said chassis beam members, and bracket means secured to each of said body members for connection with said pivot means to permit pivotal movement of said body into dumping position, said bracket means extending below frame structures;

- 3."In-a vehicleof the tractor. and detachably' connectedtrailer type, the improvement in the trailer thereor whichv comprises a chassis having-f laterally spaced and longitudinally extendingz, members, a frame structurecarried by each o'f said chassis members eachsof said frame struo-e tures being" constituted by longitudinally spaced depending portions, a first pivot-forming means carried:by'and-extending between certain ofsaid dependingportions, a second pivot-forming means carried'l-byand extending between other: of said depending portions, a body mounted on 5, saidgchassis. normally in load-carryingv positions and-having .a connection with said first pivot means for permitting movement-of said body into; load discharging position, and fluid pressure operated. means connected to said second pivot means. and to said-body. for moving the latterintd:

itsload discharging. position.

4. In a vehicle ofthe tractorand detachably; connected trailer type, the improvement in that trailer thereof 1which;.comprisesxa chassis hav.

ing spaced, and longitudinally extending mom-. bers, a .d'ependingafitame structure. carried by; each of said chassis members, spaced pivot-form ing means extendingbetween and carried by said; frame structures, ,a body mounted on said chassis-z; andconnected with; onev of: said pivot-forming;- means for pivotalmovement between load-carry,-.; ingand load-discharging positions, and body; moving, means connected to another of. said;

pivot-forming means and to said body at a point above. and forwardly of said other pivot means whereby, as said body is moved into load-discharging position, said moving means swings substantially into a vertical position.

5. In a dump trailer of the character described, spaced chassis members extending longitudinally of the trailer, a body including longitudinally extending elements arranged in spaced relation to straddle said chassis members, means on said chassis members providing a pivot located therebelow and adjacent the rearward ends thereof, means on said body elements for connection with said pivot means to permit movement of said body between load-carrying and load-discharging positions, a body moving jack of fluid pressure operated type carried by said chassis members at a zone below and forwardly of said pivot means, and a pivot assembly on said body located forwardly of the zone of connectionbetween said moving jack and chassis members, said moving jack being connected to said pivot assembly and exerting a thrust thereon for moving said body between said positions.

6. In a dump trailer of the character described, including a chassis having laterally spaced side frame structures defined by longitudinally spaced depending portions, pivot means carried by and extending between certain of said depending portions, a trailer dump body mounted on said chassis and pivotally connected with said pivot means, other pivot means carried by and extending between other of said depending portions at a zone forwardly of said first mentioned pivot means, and a body lifting jack mounted on said other pivot means and having a con nection with said trailer dump body at a point thereon such that when said body is pivoted into a load dumping position, the forward end of said lifting jack will swing upwardly and rearwardly into a substantially vertical position.

7. In a vehicle of the character described, a

assaorr-I dump trailer unit which comprises a main chassis including longitudinally extending load-earry-' ing members, depending frames secured to'each of said load-carrying members, a sleeve carried. byand extending transversely between said depending frame structures, a shaft-like body pivotelement carried by, and projecting outwardly at its end from said sleeve, a load-carrying body mounted on said load-carrying members of the.

main chassis and including longitudinal body members arranged'in laterally spaced relation to straddle said load-carrying members, a bracket secured to each of said longitudinal body members. and a journal carried by each bracket, said journals being operatively mounted on the projecting ends respectively of the pivot-element to permit pivotal movement of said body into load dumping position.

8. In a vehicle of the character described, a dump trailer unit which comprises a main chassis including longitudinally extending load-carryingmembers, depending frames secured to each relationship with respect to the depending frames. and a journal carried by each bracket,. saidjournals being operatively mounted on the.

projecting ends respectively of the pivot-element.

. 9. In .a vehicle of the character described, a dump trailer unit which comprises a main chassis.

including longitudinally extending load-carrying members; depending frame structures secured to,

each of said load-carrying members, a shaftlike body pivot-element extending transversely between-and projecting outwardly at its end from said "frame structures, a load-carrying body mounted onsaid load-carrying members of the main chassis and including longitudinal mem: bers arranged in laterally spaced relation to;

carry said load-carrying members, a, bracket secured to each of said longitudinal body mem-.. bers, and a journal carried by each bracket, said.

journals being operatively mounted on the projecting ends respectively of the pivot-element.

' JOHN J. POWERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 25.:iile of this patent:

M .UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,725,460 I Weber et a1. Sept. 1'7, 1929 1,952,718 Lee Mar. 2'7, 1934 2,027,098 Helms Jan. 'I, 1936 2,144,828 Biszantz et al Jan. 24, 1939 Barrett 4. Mar. 4, 1941 

